Michael moved quietly along a fractured stone pathway, stopping near a collapsed tower where a group of five students were speaking in low tones.
One of the students near the collapsed tower rubbed his arms.
"Does anyone even know why they called us back?" he asked, voice tight. "I've been here for more than a day now and no one has reached out to tell me what's happening. It doesn't make sense."
Another student, taller, with a torn academy robe tied around his waist like a sash, scoffed.
"You think they'd recall us for no reason?" he said. "The Federation sent soldiers to search for us throughout Hell just to pull us back. That alone tells you something happened."
A third student pointed toward the ruined settlement around them, his expression uneasy as his gaze swept the destroyed walls and collapsed buildings.
"Look at this place," he said quietly. "Just what kind of battle happened here for the station to end up like this?"
The first student frowned.
